John Rankin has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the target.

78:47

The assistant referee flags for offside against Gavin Gunning. Alan Mannus restarts play with the free kick.

77:43

Outswinging corner taken by Barry Douglas from the left by-line, Gavin Gunning takes a shot. Rowan Vine gets a block in.

77:32

A cross is delivered by David McCracken, clearance by Barry Douglas.

76:52

Liam Craig takes a shot from a long way out which goes wide of the right-hand post.

76:00

Rowan Vine joins the action as a substitute, replacing Peter Pawlett.

74:50

The assistant referee flags for offside against Jon Daly. Indirect free kick taken by Alan Mannus.

71:59

The referee blows for offside against Steven MacLean. Richie Ryan joins the action as a substitute, replacing Rudi Skacel. Stuart Armstrong leaves the field to be replaced by Mark Millar. Radoslaw Cierzniak takes the free kick.

71:14

Free kick awarded for a foul by Brian McLean on Steven MacLean. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Liam Craig.

70:59

The ball is sent over by John Rankin, save made by Alan Mannus.

69:50

Shot from just outside the penalty box by Rudi Skacel misses to the left of the target.

67:41

Effort from deep inside the area by Murray Davidson misses to the right of the goal.

65:28

Johnny Russell fouled by David McCracken, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Barry Douglas from right channel, clearance made by Liam Craig.

63:59

Unfair challenge on Barry Douglas by Peter Pawlett results in a free kick. Michael Gardyne on for Keith Watson. Free kick taken by Radoslaw Cierzniak.

63:06

The referee blows for offside against John Rankin. Direct free kick taken by Alan Mannus.

62:33

Corner taken by Barry Douglas, clearance by Liam Craig.

61:16

John Rankin fouled by Patrick Cregg, the ref awards a free kick. Patrick Cregg goes into the book for unsporting behaviour. Free kick crossed by Barry Douglas, Gavin Gunning makes a clearance.

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Peter Pawlett by John Rankin. Free kick taken by Patrick Cregg.

4:07

Corner from right by-line taken by Liam Craig.

3:10

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Liam Craig.

0:57

Liam Craig gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Johnny Russell. The ball is crossed by Barry Douglas, Gavin Gunning finds the net with a headed goal from inside the penalty area. Dundee Utd 1-0 St Johnstone.Assist on the goal came from Barry Douglas.

Match Preview

Houston calls for home improvement
Manager Peter Houston has told his Dundee United side to improve their home form and eliminate the mistakes which have contributed to recent poor results.
United lost 2-1 at Hearts on Sunday after Brian McLean and Gavin Gunning contrived to fail to clear allowing Ryan Stevenson to score before the Hearts midfielder netted a penalty.
The visitors replied through Keith Watson, but were unable to breach the Hearts defence again as they fell beneath the Edinburgh side in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League table.
That result came a week after seeing a three-goal lead slip against Inverness and a point rescued with a stoppage-time penalty and Houston has called for United to tighten up and add to their two home wins this term in Wednesday's Tayside derby.
"St Johnstone's a tough match, but we have to start putting a run together with regards to our home form," Houston said. "Our away form has been good. We played well (at Hearts) and lost the match, but we have to make sure we start a wee run at home.
"We have to clear our heads of our result and try to get a result against St Johnstone on Wednesday.
"We have to really, really stop giving soft goals away. We have to make sure we cut out the errors that we're making.
"We can play as good football as any team in the league in my opinion, out with Celtic."
Defender Sean Dillon is unlikely to return from a thigh injury before the winter break, and after the error which led to the opening goal at Tynecastle, Houston was asked if he would consider shifting captain Jon Daly to centre back.
Daly, a striker, played in defence earlier in the season, but along with Johnny Russell is part of a potent strike-force.
Houston said: "No. He's near the top of the scoring charts already with eight goals, having played a few times (in defence).
"Brian McLean's been playing excellent the last few weeks and I don't blame Brian for losing the match.
"He made an individual error, he put his hand up, but it cost us. Wee individual errors are costing us."
Manager Steve Lomas has told his St Johnstone fringe players to show their ability if given an opportunity in the next three matches.
Saints, seeking an end to a four-match winless run in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, play Dundee United before matches with in-form Inverness and bottom club Dundee.
The Perth men are part of a pack chasing a place in the top six ahead of the winter break and a two-week hiatus and may have to negotiate the festive fixtures without Chris Millar.
Midfielder Millar was withdrawn from Saturday's 2-0 loss at Aberdeen with a groin injury and replaced by Paddy Cregg, who could start at Tannadice.
"Chris has tweaked his groin, so we'll have to wait to assess him and see how he is for the busy Christmas period," Lomas said.
"It gives somebody else an opportunity to step in and show their worth."
With Dundee now in the top-flight, the Tayside derby may have less significance for United, but for St Johnstone victory over their near-neighbours would provide a welcome fillip.
Lomas maintains his side can defy their recent run against a United side full of talent.
"Any team can beat anybody on any given day," Lomas said.
"It'll be tough because they're a decent team and they've got decent players, (Johnny) Russell, Jon Daly, (John) Rankin."
end